Stage actor cast as 'Thor' villain Loki

Stage veteran Tom Hiddleston has been cast as Loki, Thor's evil trickster-god brother, according to Variety.

In the comic books, Loki's ability to bend reality causes no end of trouble for the god of thunder. Loki also opposes the Avengers, a supergroup made up of Thor, Iron Man, Hulk and others. Marvel is planning to eventually connect its various individual superhero films in one star-studded Avengers-based movie.

Chris Hemsworth, who played James T. Kirk's father George in "Star Trek," was previously cast as Thor.

'Thor's' release date is set for July 17, 2011. Kenneth Branagh will direct.